Chapter 5
Percy stared at him with panic in his eyes.
"Please don't ask me that"
Bill stared at him back, he was just really confused.
"No Percy I'm starting to get worried. What's going on?"
Percy thought for a second, "Do you want the truth or do you want something that'll make you feel better?"
"The truth obviously!"
He took a breathe, "Yes, that kid called me Dad because he's my kid."
"WHAT?!"
"Just listen Bill."
"No Seriously, what do you mean he's 'your kid'?"
"What it says on the tin. He's my son."
"You're joking right?"
His question was met with silence.
"How am I just learning this now?!"
Percy looked scared, "I'm gay Bill."
He gaped at him. Percy kept talking, "That's kind of it. I'm gay with a husband and kids."
Bill kept staring, eyebrows raised in disbelief. His brother was married, to a guy, without his knowledge. Percy had kids, who were teenagers. Percy was gay.
How did he not know? Why didn't he know?
"So your... married."
He nodded slowly.
"For how long?"
"Since 1999 Bill."
"That's so long ago Perce. How did I not know?"
Percy looked at him, "Probably because I didn't tell anyone."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
He didn't expect Percy to laugh, "Because Mum and Dad are homophobes mate."
"What? Really?!"
"Yep. Would probably kick me out again, even if I'm not living with them."
"I'm sure they wouldn't?"
"They would Bill. I don't want them in my life or my family's life. To be honest I only come to dinner every now and again because I want to see you guys, even if I'm not doing or saying much while I'm there."
"Why didn't you tell me though?"
"You know what Mums like. Constantly poking holes in stories and making sure we trip each other up if we lie. If I told you guys, she'd know within the month."
Bill felt devastated. How could Percy have a full on family without him knowing? He just didn't understand it. Percy said kids before didn't he, not just one kid. Multiple.
He stared at the floor for what seemed to be decades, Percy taking a long drink from his coffee.
"Who did you marry Percy?"
He smiled for the first time in a while, "Oliver Woods."
"Really?!! You married a Quidditch pro?! Wait a second, not even just a pro, a guy I captained in seventh year??"
"Haha, I know right."
"And... your kids?"
"I have three. Kayla, Jesse and Nat."
"How old are they Percy?"
"Well, Nat is six, Jesse is fourteen and Kayla is sixteen."
"When did you get them?"
"Kayla when she was six, Jesse when he was seven and Nat when she was a few months old."
"Wow, just wow."
"What?"
"You have more kids than me."
"Funny, right?"
"Can you show me a picture Percy?"
"Sure"
He pulled out his phone, clicking around a few seconds before showing him the screen.
They were on top of a mountain, Oliver with his hand around Percy's waist, laughing. Percy had a young girl on his hip (assumedly Nat) whilst Oliver's other hand was on an older girl's shoulder who was poking fun at a slightly younger boy.
They seemed happy. Intertangled and joking, laughing and smiling.
"Aw they're so cute."
"Percy." Bill's face lit up, "Please tell me your daughter is the Quidditch captain of Gryffindor."
He laughed, "I guess you already know the answer to that."
"And I was literally just telling you how great she is!"
Percy laughed along with him.
They had a nice time.
Ultimately, it was nothing like what Bill thought the day would go. But it was fun.
Of course, Bill was sad that Percy had felt the need to hide so much of himself from him, and sad that it had taken an idle mistake for him to find it out.
But he was glad it had happened.
Glad it was starting to seem like Percy was finally talking to him